Asclepias, Butterfly Weed ~ 50 seeds

Keeping butterfly populations happy and robust is a team effort, one that cannot be achieved by plantings of Common Milkweed alone. Although related, Butterfly Weed is a different species, with a wider native range and a habit and growth schedule that is all its own. It tends to flower for a longer duration of time than Common Milkweed, and it lacks milky sap. The nectar within its blooms attracts butterflies of all types, and the larvae of monarchs feed on the leaves. Long live the lepidoptera!

Growing Instructions
For spring plants, cold-stratify seeds by sowing directly into soil from fall through winter. Or, sow 8-10 weeks before last frost in deep seed-starting pots about ¼" deep, in rich, damp soil. Cover and refrigerate for 3-4 weeks. After refrigeration, move to a 70-degree, well-lit spot for germination, which usually occurs in 14-21 days. Transplant outdoors after frost in an area where plants can naturalize and live for years. Perennial (plants may bloom late in the first year, or not until the second year). 

Quick Facts
Days to Maturity: 365 days
Planting Depth: ¼"
Spacing in Row: 15"
Spacing Between Rows: 18"
Sun Preference: Full Sun

About the Artist
Artwork by Nancy Blum. Nancy's rendering is composed of an appealing combination of ink, gouache, and colored pencil. It is the second in her series depicting Monarch-sustaining plants. In this work, the caterpillar is in position to start spinning its cocoon.